Utah’s Beth Launiere Named Coach Of The Year; Five Players Honored
Dec 3, 2019, 1:20 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
Utah head coach Beth Launiere talks with her players during a timeout as the University of Utah takes on Brigham Young University at the Hunstman Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Adam Fondren, Deseret News)
(Adam Fondren, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Women’s Volleyball Coach Beth Launiere has been named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, following the Utes regular season.
Also, five of her players were honored by being named to the Pac-12 All-Conference teams.
Launiere is currently in her 30th season, she guided the Utes to their 18th season of at least 20-wins and to their 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Utah finished the regular season with a 14-6 conference record.
A great season has gotten even better today! Congrats to @CoachLauniere on being named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year as well as to our five All-Pac-12 honorees! As always, it's a great day to be a Ute!
Release >> https://t.co/rpIUlKgBxk
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) December 3, 2019
“I’m humbled to receive this award in a conference with so many great coaches,” Launiere said. “The team’s success in the Pac-12 is attributed to a staff that worked relentlessly and a strong group of players who were driven and committed on a daily basis. It’s been a special season with special people by my side.”
It’s Launiere’s first Coach of the Year award in the Pac-12. She won the award three times when the Utes were in the Mountain West Conference.
“We are proud to have two first-team all-conference players, Dani Drews and Kenzie Koeber honored,” Launiere said. “This is one of the many firsts for our program this season. Berkeley Oblad and Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres being recognized is a tribute to them and shows the depth of talent both on our team and in the conference. Zoe Weatherington has made an impact on our team this year, and we are so happy she has been recognized as one of the top freshman in the conference.”
Drews and Koeber were named first team All-Pac-12, while Zoe Weatherington was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Olblad and Ka’aha’aina-Torres received honorable mentions.
The Utes will face Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Provo. The match will be played on Friday at 4 p.m.
